8 Best Day Trips From Athens: Explore Hidden Gems of Inland Greece

Summer is finally here, and international travel is opening with it again. It’s time to pack your suitcase and explore one or two new destinations. 

Whether you’ve already chosen the country or you’re still deciding, I want to encourage you to explore the hidden gems of it. Greece has many of them, and travellers spend most of their time on its islands. It’s time to explore the other side of Greece, Greek inland. If you plan to visit the Greek capital, Athens, you have plenty of options to explore beautiful places.

This article will reveal to you the best day trips from Athens. These day trips from Athens will help you discover Greece’s history and culture, traditional villages, remote islands, archaeological sites, and a lot more. They’ll satisfy the needs of every traveller.

So come and explore Greece this summer, making some of these day trips from Athens.

Practical Information For Doing Day Trips From Athens

If you plan to make any of these day trips from Athens, the best way is to either rent a car or take a public bus to the places. Renting a car is generally a more convenient option, so I would definitely go for it. You can travel at your own pace and explore more destinations on the way.

However, I know not everybody likes to or can drive a car. So, for you, Greece has a network of public buses that will take you to almost any place.

The public buses in Greece are called KTEL. If you wish to go to any of the following places, go to the KTEL bus station in Athens, book your ticket, and travel. It’s that easy.

Nowadays, we are used to booking tickets online in advance to have peace of mind. But in Greece, it works slightly differently. It’s much easier to just go to the bus station half an hour before the bus departure and buy your tickets straight away.

You don’t have to be afraid of the bus being overbooked. Tickets are almost always available. An even better way would be to go to the station one day before your trip, ask what you need at the counter and buy your tickets.

They do speak English, so you don’t have to be afraid. Buying tickets online is often confusing on the Greek platforms, and most of them aren’t even translated to English.

I have travelled Greece mostly in public buses and believe me, it has worked excellently for me this way.

If you like to check KTEL buses online anyway, you can do so on this website.

8 Best Day Trips From Athens, Greece

1. Corinth Canal

Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Aegean Sea. In the past, the ships had to cruise from the Ionian Sea around the entire Peloponnese Peninsula to get to Athens (Aegean Sea). As a result, its construction made it much easier for the ships to get to the Aegean Sea.

Nowadays, they can get to the Aegean Sea much faster, thanks to the Corinth Canal. It’s saving them almost 700km (430 miles). What is more, it has converted the Peloponnese into an island, as it separated it from the Greek mainland.

Interesting Facts About Corinth Canal 

• Corinth Canal is 25 metres (81ft) wide and 6,4km (4 miles) long
• Connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Aegean Sea
• Saves the journey for ship by almost 700km (430 miles)
• Has separated the Peloponnese peninsula from the Greek mainland, making it a Peloponnese Island

If you’re an adventurous soul, you can do bungee jumping from one of the bridges straight into the Canal.

Get A Snack Near The Corinth Canal

There are 2 bridges over the Canal, from where you can get the best view.

I recommend you go to the Corinth Canal old bridge. When you’re approaching the Canal by car, descend from the main road E8. There is a lovely coffee shop where you can get Greek snacks and great food. It’s called Coffee food Μαργαρίτα.

After, you can continue to Corinth City, which is just a 10-minute drive from the Canal.

Corinth City

After seeing the Canal, you may also visit Corinth city. It used to be the wealthiest city of the ancient world and a crucial commercial centre until Athens gained its importance.

Nowadays, it’s a nice town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beach. Enjoy the walk through the city, get great food, and go to the beach – Paralia Kalmia.

How To Get To Corinth Canal

If you choose Corinth Canal as a day trip from Athens, I recommend you rent a car. You can travel at your own pace and can explore the area more.

There are also buses running between Athens and Ancient Corinth city. Just take a public bus from KTEL station in Athens, and it will take you directly to Corinth City.

However, public buses don’t stop at the Corinth Canal, which is why I recommend renting a car for this day trip. 

Distance from Athens to Corinth Canal & City: 1-hour drive

If renting a car is not in your cards, considering taking an inexpensive guided half-day tour to Corinth. Not only do they pick you up from your place of stay, they offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the trip so you can book it with ease.

2. Hydra Island

Picturesque Island Hydra is only accessible by boat, which adds a unique atmosphere to the entire place. The location is also reflected in its name; the Greek word ‘Hydra’ translates to English as ‘water.’ The name was also given to the island after finding natural springs on it.

Hydra is known as the ‘Unspoiled Island’ since there are no transportation means allowed. The only way to explore the island is on foot or on donkeys. If you want to experience an adventure on a donkey ride, pre-book a trek with Harriet’s Hydra Horses.

If you’re just staying in Athens and want to enjoy the sea for a while, Hydra is a great day excursion for you. Come, swim, and relax on its beaches. The most popular ones are Palamida, Molos, and Kaminia.

Its beautiful village has many restaurants, bars, cafes, and small shops, so you don’t have to buy anything in advance. Enjoy local cuisine and ice cappuccinos on the island.  

You can visit monasteries as the island is famous for them. Efpraxia is a lovely monastery you can see during your visit. Some claim it’s the most beautiful port village in Greece. I can even reconfirm this fact.

Hydra is stunning, and you should consider it a relaxing and swimming day trip from Athens, including a spectacular donkey ride.

How To Get To Hydra Island

As I mentioned above, the only way to get to Hydra Island is by boat. Ferries depart every day (5 times a day) from Athens, Piraeus port directly to Hydra Island. You’ll get on a high-speed vessel, and it takes around 2 hours to get to the island.

To look for a ferry connection, you can check out FerryScanner or Ferry Hopper.

Distance from Athens to Hydra Island: 2 hours by a high-speed vessel ferry

3. Meteora

One of the most charming and spectacular day trips from Athens is definitely Meteora and its monasteries. 

Meteora Monasteries Interesting Facts

Meteora means “in the heavens above”, and this name perfectly describes its position. Below, I have some interesting facts about Meteora for you guys:

It’s a large and significant complex of Orthodox monasteries, which are located on the steep rocks of Meteora.

In Byzantine times, monks were building their monasteries high on the top of these rock formations as they believed they would be closer to God this way.

These rock sculptures were formed some 60 million years ago by weathering and earthquakes.

The monasteries were constructed in the 11th century, and there were initially 24 of them. Nowadays, only 6 are left, which are also accessible to the public.

Monks And The Meteora Monasteries

Are you wondering how the monks accessed these monasteries in the past?

There were no bridges and pathways to them at that time. The monks used large nets to haul them up or climb up a long ladder to reach the monasteries. You can still see the nets nowadays.

Practical Information For Visiting Meteora Monasteries

You can visit all 6 monasteries or stick to some of them. They all have a lot in common – a chapel, rooms where Monks used to live decorated with frescoes, and cellars for food storage.

I recommend you start at the top, the furthest monastery (Great Meteoron Monastery), and then continue down the road visiting other monasteries on the way (Varlaam and Roussanou monasteries).

The entrance to each of them is 3€, so if you don’t want to pay extra for visiting all of them, I suggest you stick to the first 3 monasteries and see the others from the outside.

You’ll buy the tickets right at the entrance to each monastery. There’s no need to purchase anything in advance.

Meteora Monasteries

1. Great Meteoron – is the largest, highest, and the oldest monastery of all 6
2. The Holy Monastery of Varlaam – the second largest monastery in the complex
3. Roussanou

This monastery is below the three monasteries I mentioned above:

4. St. Nikolaos Anapafsas

These 2 are slightly off the road, but you can still visit them and return to the Kalambaka town from the other side:

5. Holy Trinity
6. St. Stephen’s

Best Way To Visit The Meteora Monasteries

What I recommend is to take the bus from Kalambaka to Great Meteoron Monastery, explore the monastery and walk to the other two monasteries – The Holy Monastery of Varlaam and Rossanou. You can explore all 3 at your pace and don’t have to wait for the bus to come.

I think it’s just enough to see 3 monasteries, and these are the most significant ones. After, you can walk down to the Kastraki village and have some lunch there.

If you want, you can continue to explore other monasteries and take the bus from Rossanou again to the other two monasteries – Holy Trinity and St. Stephen’s. After, you can walk down to Kalambaka town or take the sightseeing bus back to the town.

Important Information For Women

You’ll have to cover your shoulders and knees, so either take clothes with long sleeves or take a scarf to cover yourself when entering the monasteries. Otherwise, you cannot go inside.

How To Get To Meteora Monasteries

The first important thing is to get from Athens to Kalambaka. You can either rent a car in Athens, which would be again the best option, take a public bus (from KTEL station in Athens) or take a train. 

After you get to Kalambaka, the first option for you is to drive a car to Meteora monasteries. However, the road is very curvy. So, if you don’t like driving on tiny streets, getting rid of every bus and car, then I suggest you take the sightseeing bus. The bus leaves from Kalambaka town and also stops in Kastraki village. 

You can book the bus tickets here.

If you fancy a leisurely way of admiring the beauty of the countryside along the way, you can catch a train for Kalambaka at 7:20 AM from the Athens railway station. Book the train tickets here.

What’s great about booking with GetYourGuide is that they offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before your trip!

Distance from Athens to Kalambaka: 4 hours & 8 minutes by car
Distance from Athens to Kalambaka: 5 hours by public bus

Sightseeing Bus To Meteora

As for the tickets, a single way from Kalambaka is 1,80€. You can also purchase a day ticket for 5,50€.

With the day ticket, you can hop off, see one monastery, wait for the bus, hop on and transfer to another monastery. You can buy the tickets directly with the bus driver.

4. Olympia

What would a visit to Greece be without seeing the cradle of the Olympic Games? Olympia is the place where Ancient Olympic Games were held for the first time, back in 776 BC. Originally, the Olympic Games were named after Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece and the home of Greek gods.

One theory has it that Olympic Games started to be organized to honour Zeus, the Greek god. However, some historians claim they were funeral games held in honour of decedent local heroes.

Create your own theory and learn more about the history of the Olympic Games. Experience the atmosphere where the real ones were held over the years, and learn about wrestling, boxing, pentathlon, or chariot racing.

How To Get To Olympia

To get to Olympia, rent a car in Athens, and you can explore other destinations on the way. For instance, before reaching Olympia, you can stop at the Corinth Canal or even go to Nafplio city.

If you don’t want to drive, public buses run from KTEL station in Athens to Olympia. First of all, you have to take a bus from Athens to Pyrgos, and from there change to a local bus that will take you to Olympia.

Distance from Athens to Olympia: 3 hours & 14 minutes by car
Distance from Athens to Pyrgos and to Olympia: 5 – 6 hours by public buses

5. Delphi

Delphi is one of the perfect day trips from Athens for those who love Greek mythology and archaeology.

The archaeological site Delphi is believed to be the centre of the world. According to Greek mythology, Zeus, the Greek deity, released two eagles into the air. One of them flew towards the east and the other one towards the west. After flying around the Earth, both met again here in Delphi, at the spot named Omphalos.

Delphi is also referred to as the Phyton region, as it was the place where the goddess Phyton met her doom in the hands of Apollo.

Phyton used to answer questions from locals about their future here, and the ceremony usually lasted one day. Phyton was guided by Gaia, who is known as the ‘Grandmother of the Earth.’

Delphi used to host Games in honour of Greek gods and deities. The so-called Phytian Games dated back to 591BC and were organized every 8 years. These games were primarily musical during which solo musicians sang hymnals to Apollo.

It has some great archaeological sites such as the Doric Temple, Delphi Tolos, Delphi Theatre, and the Treasury of Athens.

Prefer to do a guided tour? You can book a tour here!

How To Get To Delphi

As with other day trips from Athens, renting a car and travelling to Delphi is the best and most convenient option. However, there are also public buses running to Delphi from KTEL station in Athens. 

Distance from Athens to Delphi: 2 hours & 14 minutes by car
Distance from Athens to Delphi: 3 hours by public bus

Alternatively, to save on the hassle of planning a day trip from Athens yourself, you can hop on a guided tour that departs from Athens. Check out this tour here.

6. Nafplio

For the endless romantics out there, I have one of the best day trips from Athens.

Visit Nafplio, one of the most romantic cities in Greece. Experience medieval castles, Byzantine churches together with mosques and walk through its tiny little streets.

Nafplio is the base destination when exploring the Peloponnese Peninsula. It’s also a popular destination for wine lovers.

Nafplio used to be the Greek capital until the War of Greek Independence, which happened more than 400 years ago. It ended the Ottoman occupation in Greece, and the First Hellenic Republic was over. After, Athens got the status of the Greek capital.

Nafplio is a very bike-friendly city, and many hotels offer bike rentals to explore the city on wheels. Visit the archaeological museum, war museum, its beautiful castles, and churches.

If you’re into jazz, visit the Fougaro cultural centre located 3 km outside of the city for an art exhibition, jazz music, and have a nice dinner with an evening performance.

If you want to enjoy the seaside as well, Nafplio has great beaches such as Arvanitia, Karathonas, or Kiveri, only 20 minutes drive from the city.

How To Get To Nafplio

Nafplio is a popular destination, and public buses will take you directly from Athens to the centre. Another option would be to rent a car, with which you can also check the nearby beaches.

Distance from Athens to Nafplio: 1 hour & 46 minutes by car
Distance from Athens to Nafplio: 2 hours & 10 minutes by public bus

7. Ioannina & Perama Cave

Enjoy history, great people, food. And water activities in one place visiting Ioannina.

Take some time and walk through its charming streets, stop at a local café and get some delicious baklava. Visit the archaeological museum, and walk up to Ioannina Castle, the political, educational, and cultural centre of this town.

In the afternoon, go to Lake Pamvotida (Pamvotis) to enjoy the sunset. You can do many water activities on the lake like sailing and kayaking or walking and cycling around.

If you have more time, you shouldn’t miss the Perama Cave near Ioannina. Located 5 kilometres from the town centre, this cave is one of the strangest in the world. It was found accidentally by locals, who were trying to find a shelter during WWII.

How To Get To Ioannina

Public buses are running directly from Athens KTEL station to Ioannina. This is a destination slightly further away, so I recommend you to stay overnight and go back to Athens the next day. Alternatively, you can rent a car, which will be much faster to get there. 

Distance from Athens to Ioannina: 4 hours & 40 minutes by car
Distance from Athens to Ioannina: 5 hours & 20 minutes by public bus

8. Zagoria Villages

Zagoria is an area of Greek mountain villages picturing traditional stone houses. If you like to explore places off the beaten path, this is the day trip from Athens for you. It’s still unexplored, and not many tourists know about it.

It’s becoming a popular holiday destination offering many activities such as rafting, hiking, trekking, and climbing. Don’t miss hiking in the Vikos Gorge, the second deepest gorge in the world after the Grand Canyon.

Swim and relax in the Rocks Pools, natural pools created during geological formation. Papaigo Village is considered one of the most beautiful ones in the complex, so it might be a perfect base for your Zagoria exploring.

How To Get To Zagoria Villages

For this day trip, I highly recommend you to take a car. Most visitors like to move between the villages by car, which will add a lot more flexibility to your trip.

If you take a public bus, you have to first travel to Ioannina and then change to a bus from Ioannina to Zagoria. Unfortunately, there is no direct bus from Athens to Zagoria villages.

Distance from Athens to Zagoria: 6 hours by car
Distance from Athens to Ioannina and to Zagoria: 7 hours & 10 minutes by public bus

These are the top day trips from Athens you should make when visiting the Greek capital. You can also put them together, stay overnight in one destination, after travel to another one nearby and then go back to Athens.

For instance, you can travel to Ioannina, then visit traditional Greek villages in Zagoria, explore Meteora the next day, and after, travel back to Athens. This way, you’ll explore multiple destinations and make more day trips from Athens.

Enjoy Greek inland this summer, experience its rich history, learn more about Greek mythology, taste some local delicacies, and do adventurous activities in the Zagoria region.

If you want to explore more of Greece, check out this 10-day Greece itinerary and travel the country in 10 days. You don’t have to plan anything in advance; everything is designed for you in the itinerary, so check it out.